BACKGROUND:The pathogenesis of diabetic peripheral neuropathy has not yet been clarified,and TAM(Tyro3,Axl,and MerTK)receptor tyrosine kinases can control apoptotic cells and suppress inflammatory responses in the central nervous system. OBJECTIVE:To investigate the difference of Mer receptor tyrosine kinase(MerTK)levels in plasma and sciatic nerve tissue of Sprague-Dawley rats with type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy,and to study the correlation between MerTK and diabetic peripheral neuropathy. METHODS:Forty male Sprague-Dawley were randomly divided into control group with 15 rats,type 2 diabetes group with 10 rats,and diabetic peripheral neuropathy group with 15 rats.The control group was fed with ordinary diet,while the experimental groups were fed with high-fat and high-sugar diet.After 6 weeks,intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin at the minimum dose of 35 mg/kg was administered in the two experimental groups.After 14 days,tail vein blood was collected to detect blood glucose.If blood glucose≥16.7 mmol/L,the model of type 2 diabetes was successfully established.Rats in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group continued to be fed with a high-sugar and high-fat diet for 8 weeks.The sciatic nerve conduction velocity of rats was detected through live isolation under anesthesia.Blood samples were collected from the abdominal aorta,and the sciatic nerve tissue was collected.Histological changes of nerve fibers in each group were observed under a light microscope to confirm the success of diabetic peripheral neuropathy modeling.ELISA was used to detect peripheral blood glucose,blood lipids and serum MerTK levels in rats;hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the histological changes in the sciatic nerve;immunofluorescence,immunohistochemistry and western blot were used to detect the expression of MerTK in the sciatic nerve tissue. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The Sprague-Dawley rat models of type 2 diabetes and type 2 diabetes peripheral neuropathy were successfully constructed,and the modeling rate of diabetic peripheral neuropathy was 80%.Compared with the control group,the blood glucose levels of rats in the type 2 diabetes and diabetic peripheral neuropathy groups were significantly higher(P<0.000 1),while the blood glucose level in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group was higher than that in the type 2 diabetes group;and the sciatic nerve conduction velocity was significantly decreased(P<0.05),which was lower in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group than the type 2 diabetes group.Histological examination:Compared with the control group,the sciatic nerve nuclei were reduced in the type 2 diabetes group,with some vacuolar degeneration and phagocytosis;in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group,the cell body was swollen,the nuclear spacing was increased,vacuolar degeneration was observed,and the myelin sheath was partitioned and unsmooth,and lattice-like axons appeared.Serum MerTK levels were significantly higher in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group than the control group.Expression of MerTK in the sciatic nerve tissue was significantly upregulated in the diabetic peripheral neuropathy group compared with the control group(P<0.05).To conclude,elevated levels of MerTK in plasma and sciatic nerve tissue of rats with diabetic peripheral neuropathy are presumably related to its anti-inflammatory and immunomodulatory effects.

Objective To analyze the distribution characteristics of the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) site rs76206423 in the promoter region of the interleukin-2 receptor (IL-2R) β gene among Han males in a high radiation background area (HBRA) in Yangjiang City. Methods A total of 48 male participants from Tangkou Town, Yangxi County, Yangjiang City (HBRA group), and 51 male participants from Hengpo Town, Enping City (control group) were selected as the research subjects using the random number table method. Peripheral venous blood samples of participants from both groups were collected, and genomic DNA was extracted. The genotyping and allele frequency distribution of the rs76206423 (A/G) site in the IL-2R β promoter region was detected among the participants in both groups using the SNP detection method. The difference of allele frequencies between population in HBRA group and five area of East Asia, South Asia, Africa, Europe, and the Americas published in the Human Genome Project database from National Center for Biotechnology Information were analyzed. Results The allele frequencies of rs76206423 of population in both groups conformed to Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (P>0.05). In the HBRA group, the AA genotype was predominant (64.6%), while the AG genotype was the most common in the control group (51.0%), with a significant difference (P<0.05). Population in both groups showed a predominance of the variant allele A (78.1% and 72.5%, respectively), with no significant difference (P>0.05). The frequency of the G allele of rs76206423 in the population in HBRA group was higher than those in South Asian, African, European, and American populations (all P<0.01), but showed no significant difference compared with East Asian populations (P>0.05). Conclusion In the Han male population from the HBRA in Yangjiang City, the rs76206423 site in the IL-2R β gene promoter region is predominantly composed of the wild-type A allele and AA genotype, indicating genetic stability and a relatively high degree of variation at this locus.

ObjectiveTo develop traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） formulae for the treatment of nonsevere coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19） and to explore its anti-inflammatory mechanism. MethodsThe dysregulated signaling pathways were determined in macrophages from bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of COVID-19 patients and in lung epithelial cells infected with SARS-CoV-2 in vitro based on transcriptome analysis. A total of 102 TCM formulae for the clinical treatment of nonsevere COVID-19 were collected through literature. The pathway-reversing rates of these formulae in macrophages and lung epithelial cells were evaluated based on signature signaling pathways， and the basic formula was determined in conjunction with TCM theory. The commonly used Chinese materia medica for nonsevere COVID-19 were summarized from the 102 TCM formulae as abovementioned. And together with the screening results from the Pharmacopoeia of the People's Republic of China， a “Chinese materia medica pool” was esta-blished for the development of TCM formulae for COVID-19. The regulatory effects of each herb on signaling pathways were obtained based on targeted transcriptome analysis. Oriented at reversing dysregulated signaling pathways of COVID-19， the calculation was carried out， and the artificial intelligent methods for compositing formulae， that are exhaustive method and parallel computing， were used to obtain candidate compound formulas. Finally， with reference to professional experience， an innovative formula for the treatment of nonsevere COVID-19 was developed. The ethanol extract of the formula was evaluated for its anti-inflammatory effects by detecting the mRNA expression of interleukin 1b （Il1b）， C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 2 （Cxcl2）， C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10 （Cxcl10）， C-C motif chemokine ligand 2 （Ccl2）， nitric oxide synthase 2 （Nos2）， and prostaglandin-endoperoxide synthase 2 （Ptgs2） using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction （RT-qPCR） in RAW264.7 cells treated with lipopolysaccharide （LPS）. ResultsIn macrophages and lung epithelial cells， 34 dysregulated signaling pathways associated with COVID-19 were identified respectively. The effects of the 102 formulae for clinical treatment of nonsevere COVID-19 were evaluated based on the dysregulated signaling pathways and targeted transcriptome， and the result showed that Yinqiao Powder and Pingwei Powder （银翘散合平胃散， YQPWP） ranked first， reversing 91.18% of the dysregulated signaling pathways in macrophages and 100% of the dysregulated signaling pathways in lung epithelial cells. Additionally， YQPWP had the function of scattering wind and clearing heat， resolving toxins and removing dampness in accordance with the pathogenesis of wind-heat with dampness in COVID-19. It was selected as the basic formula， and was further modified and optimized to develop an innovative fomula Qiaobang Zhupi Yin （翘蒡术皮饮， QBZPY） based on expert experience and artificial intelligence in composing formulae. QBZPY can reverse all the dysregulated signaling pathways associated with COVID-19 in macrophages and lung epithelial cells， with the reversing rates of 100%. The chief medicinal of QBZPY， including Lianqiao （Fructus Forsythiae）， Xixiancao （Herba Siegesbeckiae） and Niubangzi （Fructus Arctii）， can down-regulate multiple signaling pathways related with virus infection， immune response， and epithelial damage. RT-qPCR results indicated that compared with the model group， the QBZPY group down-regulated the mRNA expression of Il1b， tumor necrosis factor （Tnf）， Cxcl2， Cxcl10， Ccl2， Nos2 and Ptgs2 induced by LPS in RAW264.7 cells （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. ConclusionBased on targeted transcriptome analysis， expert experience in TCM and artificial intelligence， QBZPY has been developed for the treatment of nonsevere COVID-19. The ethanol extract of QBZPY has been found to inhibit mRNA expression of several pro-inflammatory genes in a cellular inflammation model.

Cough variant asthma （CVA） is a chronic respiratory disease with cough as its main symptom. The occurrence of CVA is closely related to non-specific airway inflammation， and its pathogenesis involves environmental， genetic， immune， and other factors. In recent years， the advantages of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） in the treatment of CVA have attracted the attention of experts and scholars in China and abroad， especially its prominent role in regulating immune balance， relieving cough symptoms in CVA patients， and reducing recurrence. T Helper cells 1 （Th1）， T helper cells 2 （Th2）， T helper cells 17 （Th17）， and regulatory T cells （Treg） are derived from CD4⁺ T cells. Immune imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg is a new hotspot in the pathogenesis of CVA and a potential key target in the treatment of CVA by TCM. Th cell subsets are in dynamic balance under physiological conditions， maintaining respiratory immune homeostasis in which pro-inflammatory cytokines and anti-inflammatory cytokines are balanced. Immature helper T cells （Th0） can be differentiated into Th1， Th2， Th17， Treg， and other cell subsets due to cytokine types in the microenvironment in the stage of CVA maturation. The proliferation of Th2 cells leads to eosinophilic airway inflammation. Excessive differentiation of Th17 cells induces neutrophil airway inflammation. Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg cells are mutually restricted in number and function， and the immune imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg is easy to aggravate the generation of inflammatory response. Restoring immune balance is particularly important for the airway anti-inflammatory therapy of CVA. In this paper， the imbalance of Th1/Th2 and Th17/Treg and the pathogenesis of CVA were systematically expounded. Meanwhile， the latest research on the regulation of immune imbalance by TCM compound， single TCM， and its effective ingredients in the treatment of CVA was reviewed. It provides ideas and references for revealing the scientific connotation of TCM regulating immune balance therapy of CVA， as well as the development of clinical treatment and basic research of CVA.

During the occurrence and development of various heart diseases,continuous deterioration of myocardial fibrosis leads to remodeling and dysfunction of the cardiac structure.As a newly discovered mechanically sensitive ion channel,Piezo1 has opened up a new field of research on cellular mechanical transduction.Piezo1 combines a fine force transducer with Ca2+ influx and participates in the regulation of cellular mechanical transduction,thereby regulating cellular biological functions.Recent studies have shown that the biomechanical changes induced by myocardial injury regulate the expression of Piezo1 in cardiomyocytes and cause an imbalance in calcium homeostasis,which plays an important role in the positive feedback loop of myocardial fibrosis.This review summarizes the theoretical basis and related studies of Piezo1 in regulating cardiac fibrosis and suggests that the Piezo1 channel may become a new target for the treatment of cardiac fibrosis,thereby providing a new research horizon for the prevention and treatment of cardiac fibrosis.

Objective:To construct the impact factor model of primary traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) health management service quality, and put forward corresponding policy suggestions.Methods:In this cross-sectional study, the typical sampling and random sampling method were used to select 39 insiders of primary TCM health management service from 15 communities in Zhejiang Province from August to October in 2022. Interviews on service projects, implementation effects and impact factors were conducted, the three-level coding of interview record was carried out using the grounded theory research method, a model of impact factor for health management service quality of basic TCM was constructed, and the corresponding policy recommendations were put forward.Results:Based on the open coding of 39 original interview data, a total of 516 reference points were obtained, and 53 initial concepts related to the topic were formed and summarized into 17 first-level categories. Through the summary of main axis coding, 6 main categories of “policy environment”，“health literacy”，“community orientation”，“capacity building”，“health preference” and “conflict of interest” were extracted. The logical correlation between the six main categories were analyzed with selective coding, an impact factor model was constructed in accordance with the story line of factors affecting service quality. The story line of this model was as follows: first, the policy environment was the external guarantee of community TCM service quality; second, as the demand-side of the services, the health literacy and requirement of residents was the regulatory factor for service quality; in addition, the community played the role of the supply-side of the services, the service ability construction was the key factor, and the community functions and target orientation was the internal driving factor, meanwhile, the internal/external conflicts of interest had a negative constraint on the service quality.Conclusions:The guarantee intensity of external policy environment is limited, the service demand side pays insufficient attention, and the service supply side functions are absent at the present stage. It is necessary to improve the external policy environment, deepen the connection between supply and demand sides in the field of TCM health service, promote the capacity building of TCM service at the grass-roots level, balance the interests of relevant departments of TCM service, in order to improve the quality of TCM health management service at the grass-roots level.

Objective:This study aimed to share preliminary experiences of single-incision plus two ports laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with right-sided overlap and single-flap valvuloplasty (ROSF).Methods:Following the 6th edition of the Japanese Gastric Cancer Treatment Guidelines, proximal gastrectomy with lymphadenectomy was performed. Using a single-port approach, the esophagus was transected at least 2 cm above the tumor's upper margin with linear staplers. The stomach was then extracted through a periumbilical incision, and the proximal stomach was subsequently transected extracorporeally, while ensuring appropriate resection margins on both the greater and lesser curvatures. A single flap was created before returning the remnant stomach to the abdominal cavity and re-establishing pneumoperitoneum. The No.2 clip was used to grasp and elevate the esophageal stump. An incision was made at the right lower edge of the esophageal stump to guarantee that the esophageal lumen was open. The linear stapler was then inserted into the openings of the stomach and esophagus to perform a side overlap anastomosis with a length of 3 cm. Another barbed suture was used to close the common opening of the esophagus and the stomach, and the same barbed suture were used to suture the gastric wall to the lower edge of the muscle flap. The first barbed suture was then used to sequentially suture the proximal brim of the flap to the esophagus and the right brim of the flap to the right brim of the mucosal window. After completion of anastomosis, a drainage tube was inserted through the right upper port. This procedure was employed from November 2023 to March 2024 on five patients diagnosed with adenocarcinoma of the esophagogastric junction and upper stomach. The cohort consisted of three males and two females, with an age range of 62 to 75 years and a body mass index (BMI) of 13.7 to 24.2 kg/m2. All cases were preoperatively staged as T1-2N0M0, confirmed by endoscopic biopsy and enhanced CT scans of the chest, abdomen, and pelvis.Results:All five patients successfully underwent the surgery. The median surgery time was 180-325 minutes, with the intraoperative blood loss of 30-50 ml. The number of lymph nodes harvested ranged from 18 to 27. The time to first flatus, and restore liquid diet and was 2.0-5.0 and 1.0-3.0 days, respectively. The postoperative length of stay was 9.0-11.0 days. The pain scores on the Numeric Rating Scale (NRS). On the first day, the pain scores were 3.0 in two cases, 2.0 in two cases, and 1.0 in one case. On the second day, the pain scores were 2.0 in two cases and 1.0 in three cases. On the third day, the pain scores were 1.0 in four cases and 2.0 in one case. No short-term postoperative complications were observed, and there were no perioperative deaths.Conclusion:Single-incision plus two ports laparoscopic proximal gastrectomy with ROSF is safe and feasible.

Objective To investigate the correlations of serum cell division cycle 42 (CDC-42), β₂-microglobulin (β₂-MG) and fibulin 1 (FBLN1) levels with abdominal aortic calcification (AAC) in patients with maintenance hemodialysis (MHD). Methods General information and biochemical indicators of 74 MHD patients were collected, and they were divided into no to mild AAC group (n=36) and moderate to severe AAC group (n=38) based on the Abdominal Aortic Calcification Score (AACs). Serum levels of CDC-42, β₂-MG and FBLN1 were compared between the two groups, and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the risk factors for AAC in MHD patients. Results The dialysis vintage, serum phosphorus, intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH), CDC-42, β₂-MG and FBLN1 levels in the moderate to severe AAC group were significantly higher than those in the no to mild AAC group (P < 0.05). AAC in MHD patients was positively correlated with serum phosphorus, iPTH, CDC-42, β₂-MG, FBLN1, and dialysis vintage (P < 0.05). High levels of CDC-42, β₂-MG and FBLN1 as well as long dialysis vintage were independent risk factors for AAC in MHD patients (P < 0.05). Conclusion Serum CDC-42, β₂-MG and FBLN1 levels are positively correlated with AAC in MHD patients. High levels of CDC-42, β₂-MG and FBLN1 as well as long dialysis vintage are independent risk factors for AAC in MHD patients.

Objective To understand the HIV/AIDS burden and the disease burden attributed to various risk factors in four countries with different socio-demographic index (SDI) (China, United States, Russia, and Afghanistan) from 1990 to 2019, and to predict the HIV/AIDS attributable disease burden from 2020 to 2029. Methods The 2019 Global Burden of Disease Study data was used to describe and compare the incidence, prevalence, death, and DALYs of HIV/AIDS in the four countries. The standardized DALYs attributed to various risk factors in different age groups of HIV/AIDS in the four countries in 1990 and 2019 were compared. R4.3.0 was used to construct an autoregressive moving average mixed model to predict the attributable disease burden in each country over the next decade. Results Compared with 1990, in 2019, the standardized incidence rate, standardized prevalence rate, standardized mortality rate, and standardized DALYs rate in China and the other two countries, except the United States, showed an increase. People aged 10 to 49 years old were a key group for disease burden, and the main risk factors for disease burden varied among different countries and age groups. The autoregressive moving average mixed model predicted that the main risk factor for Russia in the next decade would be injecting drugs, while unsafe sexual behavior would occur in the other three countries. Conclusion There are differences in disease burden and risk factors among different genders and age groups globally and in the four different SDI countries. Therefore, differences should be fully considered to determine the focus of HIV/AIDS prevention and control and rationally allocate health resources.

Objective To investigate the impact of total parathyroidectomy with autotransplantation (tPTx+AT)on bone mineral density and serum soluble Klotho (sKlotho)level in patients with secondary hyperparathyroidism (SHPT).Methods A total of 86 patients undergoing tPTx+AT in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from June 2019 to May 2022 were recruited in this study.Their demographic characteristics were collected before surgery,along with serum levels of corrected calcium,phosphorus,intact parathyroid hormone (iPTH),alkaline phosphatase (ALP),fibroblast growth factor 23 (FGF23),and sKlotho before and at 5 d,and 1,3,6,12 and 24 months after surgery.Dual energy X-ray absorptiometry was used to determine the BMD values of the lumbar spine L1-L4 before surgery and at 3,6,12 and 24 months after surgery.The changes in BMD and serum FGF23 and sKlotho levels before and after tPTx+AT were observed.Results Surgical treatment was successfully completed in all 86 patients,with their clinical symptoms such as bone pain and skin itching significantly improved postoperatively,and markedly decreased serum calcium,phosphorus,iPTH,ALP and FGF23 levels.The sKlotho level was significantly lower at 5 d postoperatively than that preoperatively,with that at 1 month after surgery increased by approximately 24.5％ than the preoperative level,and then the level was in a stable trend.The BMD values at the lumbar spine L1-L4 were increased postoperatively,and reached the highest levels at 12 months postoperatively.Further analyses showed that dialysis vintage,duration of SHPT,and ALP,iPTH and FGF23 levels were negatively correlated with the Z-scores of the lumbar spine L1-L4,while sKlotho level was positively correlated with the Z-scores.Conclusion tPTx+Atcan significantly improve the clinical symptoms of SHPT patients,regulate the balance of calcium and phosphorus metabolism,increase sKlotho level and reduce FGF23 level.It is an effective method to improve BMD.